You Don’t Have To Be Normal
To be happy!!!!
BY……
Jerry Newport
wholphin48@hotmail.com
928-600-6731
and Mary Newport
Marymozartandwhale@hotmail.com
928-600-4018
Schedule of Presentation
Note: we will refer to the handout as it
fits, not necessarily in the same order. We
will also show visual examples in additon
to the handout.
1. Our youth
2. After school – young adulthood
3. Later Life.
4. Summary and audience questions.
What is a happy person?
A happy person has a quiet confidence
that he/she can handle whatever life
throws at him and knows who to ask for
help when it is more than one person can
handle.
How does any child (including our
peers) become a happy adult?
1. By learning in the way we learn best.
2. By making mistakes and learning from
them.
3. By learning scripts/drills to get through
difficult situations.
Making Choices….
Is not encouraged enough for people
with autism. Too often, we take the “easy
way out” and make choices for them.
Autistic people at all ages must learn to
make choices and understand they are
responsible for those choices and the
consequences.
Pets
Pets have been important to both of us.
They provide unconditional love to us still and
did that when we needed it the most.
Between us, we have had as Pets:
Horses, chickens, rabbits, iguanas, doves,
Parakeets, cockatiels, Cockatoos, hamsters, cats,
dogs, goldfish
Appropriate Pets for our peers…
Are durable.
Don’t make you sick.
Can be given and give back affection.
The best place to find friends
Is where you can share an interest….
Clubs, scouting, chorus, band, teams,
Sunday school, volunteer activity, theater
arts
Why stay in High School longer?
Use time to “catch up socially” is the usual reason given.
If so, you need a definite plan, like “will attend senior
prom” in the IEP!! Social growth won’t “just happen.”
Other popular reason: vocational education. If so, aim it
at a job your child can find in your community.
College….
• Is not for all of us…
• Should start close to home and include
part-time work.
• May not be as practical as an apprentice
program in a trade or other specific
training program aimed at a specific job.
What about work?
• 1. Start with having chores at home.
• 2. Look for work your child can do.
• 3. Explore other factors too, especially
any potential human relations factors that
could be your child’s employment
waterloo.
Finally….
Once 1-3 are done, try to make
connections with the person who hires,
yourself, or if you aren’t comfortable, at
least pass on what you have learned
about your child’s employment potential
via steps 1-3 to his vocational advocate,
job coach etc…..
Where to live?
•
Live at home and inherit it eventually?
• Own apartment? Group home? Shared
apartment? College dormitory? Shared
home?
Where are adult social options?
•
•
•
•
Circles of support
Support groups
Clubs
Public activities of interest; free lectures,
poetry readings, art gallery exhibits
• The Internet
• Classmates and dormitory neighbors.
• Workplace is over-rated for social potential
Getting Around….
DRIVING does expand options BUT it is
not possible for many of us…
Why?
Getting distracted too often
Lack of emotional control
Narrow visual focus
Other Options….
Public Transportation
Rides from family, friends, classmates,
co-workers
Walking, bicycle, mo-ped
Big Moves and changes…
•
1. Should happen while parents are still
alive. It is much easier if, for example,
moves to another living place are done
that way.
Conclusion….
Accept the truth: Your child will outlive
you. Help him to make the most of his
strengths and identify people who can help
him where he will need it.
Resources…..
• 1. read our books!!!
“Your Life is Not a Label” and “Autism, Asperger’s and
Sexuality”
“Developing Talents” Temple Grandin
“Ask and Tell” Stephen Shore etc…
“Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook” Roger
Meyer
“Autism for Dummies” Stephen Shore
More Resources!!!
Tony Attwood’s new guide to “Asperger
Syndrome”
Personal accounts:
“Emergence, Labeled Autistic” and “
Thinking in Pictures” Temple Grandin
“Beyond The Wall” Stephen Shore
“Pretending to Be Normal” Liane HollidayWilley, “Songs of The Gorilla Nation” Dawn
Prince Hughes
One More Great Resource!!
Good Movie: “Mozart and The Whale”
and
Great Book: “Mozart and The Whale: An
Asperger’s Love Story” by Jerry and Mary
Newport
Visit Our Website!!!
www.realmozart-whale.com